US3701242A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manual fruit harvester
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-09
•
Granted: 1972-10-31
•
Expires: 1990-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A manually manipulated device for removing fruit, particularly oranges or other citrus fruit, from the trees on which they grow by separating the fruit from the stems and collecting the dislodged fruit. The device includes a small portable motor having an offset longitudinally extending fruit engaging member which is rotated in a circular path in order to engage the fruit in a downward direction adjacent its connection with the stem for separating the fruit from the stem with the device also including an attached collection pan communicated through a hose with the source of vacuum or provided with a ground supported collection tray which underlies substantially one-half of a tree which also may be communicated with a source of vacuum from its lowest point.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis J Townsend
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:10
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D46/00; A01D46/24; A01D46/253
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A fruit harvester comprising a portable motor, having an output shaft, an offset fruit engaging member connected with the output shaft for movement in a circular path to engage fruit adjacent its connection with fruit supporting stems for disconnecting the fruit from the stem, and handle means associated with the portable motor to enable manual manipulation thereof for positioning the harvester in relation to the fruit being harvested.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A fruit harvester comprising a portable motor, having an output shaft, an offset fruit engaging member connected with the output shaft for movement in a circular path to engage fruit adjacent its connection with fruit supporting stems for disconnecting the fruit from the stem, and handle means associated with the portable motor to enable manual manipulation thereof for positioning the harvester in relation to the fruit being harvested.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said fruit engaging member is in the form of an elongated rod having an inturned outer end portion generally extending to the center of rotation of the fruit engaging member and an offset arm at the inner end thereof for connection with the output shaft for supporting the fruit engaging member from the motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said rod is substantially straight from the offset arm to the inturned end thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said rod, arm and inturned end of substantially semi-elliptical end configuration for imparting movement to the fruit for directing it towards the center of rotation of the fruit engaging member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 together with a fruit collecting pan supported from said motor in underlying relation to the fruit engaging member for receiving fruit dislodged from the stems, and a hose Connected with the bottom of the pan and communicating with the interior thereof for receiving fruit from the pan, said hose adapted to be communicated with a source of vacuum and storage receptacle for conveying fruit from the pan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 together with a pan for receiving fruit dislodged by the fruit harvester, said pan including an inclined bottom, a hose communicated with the inclined bottom and receiving fruit therefrom, said hose adapted to be communicated with a source of vacuum and a storage receptacle for conveying fruit from the pan, said pan being substantially semi-circular and having a circumferential and radial dimension to underlie substantially one-half of the canopy of a fruit tree to receive fruit dislodged from that portion of the fruit tree.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said motor is in the form of a hydraulic motor, said handle means including two handles mounted on the motor in spaced relation to provide for manipulation of the harvester.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said fruit engaging member includes a rod-like structure having a covering of resilient material thereon to reduce damage to the tree limbs, stems and fruit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US1364670A
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US3210921A
Cited
US3396521A
Cited
US3413787A
Cited
US3478501A
Cited
US3522697A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |